gas mileage
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
i have a 79 not 76, and the 400 was one of the most common motors in ford trucks. But the 2 gallons per mile, was because i had a serious gas leak out my diaphram, and my engine was pissin out more gas than it was burning. but i got that all taken care of.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 2
From: where the deer and antelo
You guys don't have a clue. Ford never made a "big" block or a "small" block. You have been hanging with the chebby guys too much. There is indeed a 351M engine, but Ford never called it a modified or any thing other than a M.
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
The 351M, 400, 429 and 460 all share the same bell housing bolt patern, but are in different engine series.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
The 351M, 400, 429 and 460 all share the same bell housing bolt patern, but are in different engine series.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
As far as fuel milage goes there is always one important thing to look at.... And that is how heavy your right foot is... I have a '73 high-boy with a warmed over 390 in it... and if I milk the throttle and shift early I can squeese 16 mpg out of it... but since it has a very vocal exaust note... for me it is hard to keep my foot out of it... So I normaly get around 8 mpg... Granted that is 8 mpg up hill, down hill, towing, being towed, and even parked... So yes keeping your truck in tune will help your fuel milage but not as much as just keeping your right foot light...
Also bit of a side note... a quote from one of the last threads about fuel milage that I read on this page:
"gas stations are stratigicly placed just for old ford pickups..."
Also bit of a side note... a quote from one of the last threads about fuel milage that I read on this page:
"gas stations are stratigicly placed just for old ford pickups..."
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
There were plenty of 400s in the 70s Ford trucks. I find them more common than the 390's actually. The reason your losing fuel economy on yours is the tire size cam heads and everything else is a race set up. I would consistently get around 14 out of my 85 F150 with a 351W and C6. Its just a matter of setting the truck up properly. Plus like previously stated the 351C is not a big block it is a small block as is the Winsor engine line.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
From: southern cal.
There sure a lot of experts here! How about some facts?
Engine Years Power (SAE net)
240 CID Straight-6 1973-77
300 CID I6 1973-77
302 CID Windsor V8 1969-72 130 hp (97 kW)
352 CID FE V8 1973-77
360 CID FE V8 1973-76 145 hp (108 kW)
390 CID FE V8 1973-77 195 hp (145 kW)
460 CID 385 V8 1973-79 200-220 hp (150-162 kW)
351 CID 351M V8 1977-79 163 hp (122 kW)
400 CID 400M V8 1977-79 169 hp (126 kW)
Engine Years Power (SAE net)
240 CID Straight-6 1973-77
300 CID I6 1973-77
302 CID Windsor V8 1969-72 130 hp (97 kW)
352 CID FE V8 1973-77
360 CID FE V8 1973-76 145 hp (108 kW)
390 CID FE V8 1973-77 195 hp (145 kW)
460 CID 385 V8 1973-79 200-220 hp (150-162 kW)
351 CID 351M V8 1977-79 163 hp (122 kW)
400 CID 400M V8 1977-79 169 hp (126 kW)
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
You guys don't have a clue. Ford never made a "big" block or a "small" block. You have been hanging with the chebby guys too much. There is indeed a 351M engine, but Ford never called it a modified or any thing other than a M.
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
The 351M, 400, 429 and 460 all share the same bell housing bolt patern, but are in different engine series.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
The 351M, 400, 429 and 460 all share the same bell housing bolt patern, but are in different engine series.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
You guys don't have a clue. Ford never made a "big" block or a "small" block. You have been hanging with the chebby guys too much. There is indeed a 351M engine, but Ford never called it a modified or any thing other than a M.
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series.
The 351M and 400 share the same engine block and heads but use a different crank and pistons to acheve the additional cubic inch displacement. The 429 and 460 are the same story.
While a 460 is a "big" block when compaired to a 302, so is a 351M or a 390. If you want to refer to Ford engines by size, you would need very small, small, medium small, medium, medium large.........
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Fowlerville, Michigan
You guys don't have a clue. Ford never made a "big" block or a "small" block. You have been hanging with the chebby guys too much... Some of the engine blocks are bigger than others but Ford never called them a big block or a small block, but rather grouped them in engine familys or series...
Well dannit I got a 460 in my truck and it's the big'un therefore I'm gonna call it a BIG BLOCK regardless of what Ford wants to call it
Besides... "the 385 series"? You say that and people go, "What the hell is that? Ford never made a 385!" I'll stick to "big-block" thank you.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
What are you talking about? The chebby guys got the 396... the big-block, the 454... the bigger-block, and the 502... the biggest-block
Well dannit I got a 460 in my truck and it's the big'un therefore I'm gonna call it a BIG BLOCK regardless of what Ford wants to call it
Besides... "the 385 series"? You say that and people go, "What the hell is that? Ford never made a 385!" I'll stick to "big-block" thank you.
Well dannit I got a 460 in my truck and it's the big'un therefore I'm gonna call it a BIG BLOCK regardless of what Ford wants to call it
Besides... "the 385 series"? You say that and people go, "What the hell is that? Ford never made a 385!" I'll stick to "big-block" thank you.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
What are you talking about? The chebby guys got the 396... the big-block, the 454... the bigger-block, and the 502... the biggest-block
Well dannit I got a 460 in my truck and it's the big'un therefore I'm gonna call it a BIG BLOCK regardless of what Ford wants to call it
Besides... "the 385 series"? You say that and people go, "What the hell is that? Ford never made a 385!" I'll stick to "big-block" thank you.
Well dannit I got a 460 in my truck and it's the big'un therefore I'm gonna call it a BIG BLOCK regardless of what Ford wants to call it
Besides... "the 385 series"? You say that and people go, "What the hell is that? Ford never made a 385!" I'll stick to "big-block" thank you.